Thousands attend Men`s Sheds each week. Each has the ethos of ‘mutual respect, companionship and community.’ In Ballinteer, their key aims are encouragement, fellowship and actively combatting isolation. They have members from Ballinteer, Churchtown, Dundrum, Milltown, Knocklyon and Rathfarnham, all in the Rathdown area.
The new shed on Stonemasons Way in Ballinteer, has been up and running for a couple of months, supervised by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Its cost, and those costs for security, fixtures, furniture, decor – including Irish Water for connection and supply, must be funded by the members themselves.
A full range of activities is underway – hobby work, group trips, exercise classes, entertainment, including songs and recitation events, are all in hand. Two new strong work benches have been set up for woodwork and metalwork projects. The Hardware and Building Merchants sector gave welcome support. Thanks especially go to BW Hardware, Brooks Group and Dulux Paints. Supporters are announced and recognised at meetings.
Being seniors, they also want to pay back to society. Recently they raised €1,400 for their local Hospice. Their community outreach and charity activities include collecting for good causes, holding coffee mornings, and providing neighbourhood traffic control during Marlay Park concerts and community events.
Shed Member Jim Goulding – former Secretary General of Hardware Association Ireland – says “It is remarkable to watch a new member, once a stranger, become a valued friend over a period of weeks, as they get involved and share their lifetime of experiences.” Maturity and fellowship go hand in hand, he says, encouraging a broader perspective on, and acceptance of life.
